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H. R. 8145

Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2026-03-27)

To amend the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program to expand eligibility for financial assistance to include the construction and enhancement of facilities and technological systems aimed at delivering telemedicine services, strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure, and supporting distance learning initiatives, including digital literacy, workforce development, and job training, in rural communities.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act”.

2. Telemedicine, distance learning, and cybersecurity support services in rural areas

(a) In general

Section 2333 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 950aaa–2) is amended—

(1) in the section heading, by striking “Telemedicine and distance learning” and inserting “Telemedicine, distance learning, and cybersecurity support”;

(2) in subsection (a)—

(A) by inserting “, cybersecurity support,” before “and distance”; and

(B) by inserting “including digital literacy, workforce development, and job training” before “in rural”;

(3) in subsection (c)—

(A) in paragraph (1)—

(i) in subparagraph (A)—

(I) by inserting “, cybersecurity support,” before “or distance”; and

(II) by inserting “, including digital literacy, workforce development, and job training” before the semicolon; and

(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking “to provide telemedicine service or distance learning service” and inserting “services described in subparagraph (A)”; and

(B) in paragraph (4), by striking “or distance learning” and inserting “, cybersecurity support, or distance learning, digital literacy, or workforce development and job training”;

(4) in subsection (d)—

(A) in paragraph (12), by striking “and” at the end;

(B) in paragraph (13), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

(14) the need for distance workforce development and job training, including a workforce that supports the building of broadband in rural areas.

(5) in subsection (f)—

(A) in paragraph (2), by striking “or distance learning” and inserting “distance learning, digital literacy, or cybersecurity”;

(B) in paragraph (3)—

(i) by inserting “, cybersecurity support,” after “assistance”; and

(ii) by striking “or” at the end;

(C) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting “; or”; and

(D) by adding at the end the following:

(5) providing distance workforce development and job training, including a workforce that supports the building of broadband in rural areas.

(b) Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.

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